We ye Subscribers being Sworn before Capt Burdett Ashton
one of his Majesties Justices for ye sd County have Vallued ye Estate of Major Benjamin Berryman Gent., Decd as followeth Viz:

{see page for inventory}

Elizabeth Berryman
Robt: Washington
Law: Butler
Jarrett Foard

Westmoreland At a Court held for the sd County the 26th Day of November 1729

This Inventory of the Estate of Benjamin Berryman Gent decd was return'd into Court upon Oath by - Elizabeth Berryman his Relict & Exetutrix and Ordered to be Recorded.

Recorded the 23th Day of December 1729
GTCCW Test: G Turbervile CClerk
_______

MB Notes on the above Inventory:

The Inventory has been resequenced from the original and a few items have been combined.
"Do" (ditto) marks have been replaced with appropriate text and some of the spelling has been updated.
Although I've tried to explain the obscure terms there are still some "unknowns". For instance, the "Chamey" sugar box and the punch bowl and also the "Flagg" chairs.
I believe flagg refers to a type of fabric on the chair
seats and Chamey may be a type of glass, crystal or perhaps enamel on metal.
I believe the word "Hide" in the bedstead items refers to a "tanned leather hide" that was laid over the ropes (and below the feather bed).
A "Rugg" was a type of blanket (perhaps a "bedspread") not a floor rug.

As lengthy as the inventory is ... I think they missed a few things.

I didn't find Benjamin's clothing, shoes, wigs, eye glasses (if any), tobacco pipes, rings, or other personal items.
It is also little surprising that he didn't have a carriage or wagon by 1729. I know the roads were "horse paths", but I thought they might at least have one wagon. They did have an Ox cart (waine). Also they seemed to be a "little light" on saddles, harness, etc. given as many horses as he owned ... unless the other saddles were considered the property of Elizabeth and the children.
I would have liked to have seen an inventory of Benjamin's Mill, but the "large grinding stone" may be a millstone. MB

WebShots Berryman Genealogy
Mary Love Berryman

MAJR: BENJA: BERRYMAN'S WILL

In the Name of God Amen. I Benja: Berryman of ye County of Westmoreland being in perfect health and memory praised be God for the same doe make and ordaine this my Last Will and testement in maner and forme following. ffirst I Give my Soul to Almighty God hopeing through the merrits of his Son Jesus Christ he will accept the same and my Body to the earth to be decently buryed in the Burying place of my father as my Executrix shall see fit. And as for my worldly Goods I Give and dispose thereof as ffolloweth.

(1) I Give to my Son James my house and Land whereon I now Live Including the Land I bought of Hugh ffrench and the Land I Leased of James Neale and the Land I bought of Capt: Anthony Thornton alsoe my watter Grist Mill to him the said James Berryman and the heirs male of his body and for want of such heirs to my Son William Berryman and the heirs male of his Body and for want of such to my Son Maximillian Berryman and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such heirs to my Son John and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such to my Son Newton and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such heirs then to my Son Henry and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such then to my Son Benja: Berryman and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such heirs then to my Grandson Gilson Berryman and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such heirs then to my Right heirs att Law.

(2) I Give to my Son Henry Berryman two hundred Ackers of Land parte of ye Land I have in the forrist next and ajoineing to ye Land of John Popham to him and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such heirs to my Son William and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such heirs to my Son James and the [heirs] male of his body and for default of such heirs to my Son Maximillian and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such heirs to my Son Newton and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such heirs to my Son John and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such heirs to my Grandson Gilson Berryman and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such heirs to my Son Benjamin and his heirs for Ever.

(3) I give to my Son William the rest of my forist Land which I supose to be four hundred and three Ackers whith what I Bought of Overhall Whitehouse and Rusell to him and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such to my Son Henry and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such to my Son James and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such to my Son Maximillian and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such to my Son Newton and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such to my Son John and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such to my Grandson Gilson and the heirs male of his Body and for default of such to my son Benjamin and his heirs for Ever.

(4) My land in King George County that I Escheated from Samuell Dudley Jacob Danill and John farmer being four hundred Ackers two hundred of ye said four I have Given by Deed to my Son Benjamin Acknowledged in King George Courte as by the Deed thereof & the remaining two hundred Ackers I Give to my Son John and the heirs male of his Body and for want of such heirs I Give the said two hundred Ackers of Land to my Son Benja: Berryman and his heirs for Ever.

(5) I Give to my Son Newton Berryman and to my Son Maximillian Berryman Six hundred and Sixty three Ackers of Land att a place calld the Marsh in King George County to be Equally Devided between them and if either of my said Sons should dye before he hath Lawfull Issue male that then the Land shall goe to the Survivor of them and if boath should dye before the Land is devided and should Leave Issue male that then the said Land shall be devided between ther Eldest Sons and if they should dye withoute Issue male that is boath Newton and Maximillian then the Land to goe to be Equally devided between my two Sons Benja: Berryman and John Berryman and the heirs male of their bodys for Ever.

(6) My Son Benja: Berryman hath his parte of Negros and is possessed of them. And I doe by this my Will confirme them to him he hath alsoe had his Share of Cattell hoggs houseall Goods & Alsoe my Daughter Rose hath had her parte and my Daughter Anne her parte and my Daughter Elizabeth her parte soe that I Give them noe more and need not say any further of them.

(7) And now the Negros that I am possessd of is aboute thirty which said Negros and theare increase I Give to my Six Sons and three Daughters that is to say William James Newton Maximillian John and Henry only two a Negros a peece. I Give to my three Daughters that is to say Sarah ffrankey and Cate which said Negros are to be sett oute to them and delivered by my Wife there Mother as she shall think fitt that is if she pleseis to give one more then another she has full power by this my Will soe to doe say to take either one or all the Negros from ane a one of my three Daughters Sarah frankey or Catey that I have Given them in this my Will and Give it to which of my Sons or Daughters she shall plese and there uppon if she should soe think fitt. I to that intent revoke the Gifts to the said three Girles and wholy put it into her power soe as she dispose of them to my Childeren and this Grate trust I put in her because I think she will doe Justice according as they will deserve! and that they are all her Childeren as well as mine and my Will is that my houseall Goods and Stock of what Nature soe Ever it be I give to my Children that is to say William James Newton Maximillian John Henry Sarah ffrances and Cate to be devided by there Mother amongs them as she shall see fitt and to Give them there portions Equall or un Equall as she shall plese.

(8) My will is that my picture Grate Glass and Scretere and Clock be not removed out of the Hall. Except Gilson's ffather and Mothers which I Give to him when he shall be of the Age of twenty one Years alsoe Ben's picture I give to him and my one and his Mothers after his Mother's death or before if she pleseis to Let him have them the rest I Give to my Son James Except Billy's picture which I Give to Billy the rest to stand in the Hall as Long as it remains tennantable.

(9) My Will is that not withstanding what I have Given my Childeren above my Wife if she pleses keep all and singuler my Estate of Lands houses Mill and Negros houseall goods Stocks of whatt sorte soever in her possession duering the time she shall remaine my Widow and keep her selfe unmarried and that she take the proffits to her owne use for her Supporte and maintaineance of the Childeren and to keep the Mill and houseing in repare and that at her Death if she keep her selfe unmaried soe long to make distrebution of all the Negros with there Increase to my said Six Sons or the Survivors of them that is to say Will James Newton John Maximillian and Henry or if she pleses she may make Distrebution as she will see they want itt before her death. And that the Distrebution be made to my Childeren according as I have by this my Will given her power. And that if she should think fitt to marry againe itt is then my Will that my Son Benja: Berryman take all my Estate and alsoe my Childeren into his Care and manidgement for the use of my Childeren. But if my Wife keeps her selfe singell tell her Death then it is my Will that she Dispose of the Childeren and there Estates into such hands as she by her Will shall fitt and duering the time she shall be unmarryed that she be my sole Exequetrix and to have the sole Adminestration her selfe but if she marryes then her Exequetorship to Cease and then my Son Ben to be my Exequetor of this my Last Will and Testement in full and ampell maner as may be. In Wittness where of I put to my hand and Seale this 13th Day of May 1729.

Memorandon that on my Second thought I think Convenent to mak my Sons Will: Berriman and James Berriman to be my Exseccutores with my Son Benjaman Berriman. But not to Administer nor Conserne themselves with it tell my loving Wife shall Marry. Then not with standing then they tak the Estate they are not to debare hir of hir thirds. And for as much as I have Instated my Lands on my Sons and theare male heirs for want of such heirs the Lands I have given to sum other Yousis it being of what nature soever I revok in Case of faillur of the male heires of my Sons. Then I give to my four Dafters Rose Sarah frances and Catherron and the heirs male of theare Bodys and for want of such I give to my Sons Dafters and theare heirs for Ever. As Wittness my hand and Seal this forth Day of August in ye Yeare 1729

Test: Thos Sharpe Benja: Berryman {Seal}
Tho: Stonehouse
Moses Caddy

At a Court held for the sd County (Westmoreland) the 27th Day of August 1729. This Last Will and Testament of Benjamin Berryman Gent. decd: together with the Codicil under written was presented into Court by his Relict and Exeritrix who made Oath thereto and being proved by the Oaths of all the Witnesses thereto (except Moses Caddy) is admitted to Record.

Recorded the 28th Day of August 1729 Test: G Turbervile CCW
by G T CCW

URL: http://www.jenforum.org/reeds/messages/29.html
URL title: Samuel REEDS c. 1645-1698 Va--1st 5 generations
Note:
Wills of Westmoreland County, Va.
REED, SAMUEL, 7 October 1698; 26 October 1698.
Land to son John; my two grandsons David and John Peper(sic PIPER) at age of 10, 2 heifers; land to son William, sword, gun etc; daughters Margaret, Elizabeth and Mary stock, household goods.

Westmoreland County, Va. Deeds and Wills No. 2, 1691-1699, Abstracted and Compiled by John Frederick Dorman Pages 180-180a Will of Samuel Reeds, being weak in body, dated 7 Oct. 1698.

Unto my son John Reades the land he doth now live on. Also my horse tickler, bridle and saddle, one spotted burrow, one small gun, two pistols, one flock bed and furniture, in consideration that my son John deliver unto my two grandsons David and John Piper at the age of ten years old two yearling heifers. Also one iron pestle and the half of my working tools and all my wearing cloaths.

Unto my son William Reedes the land he is seated on and my house and plantation after my two daughters are married, they having the use of it till then. Also my gun called Scotchman with my sword and half my worling tools, and after my daughters are married I give him one iron pott with hooks and rack, they having the use of them till then. Also my large steelyards.

1703, March 31 - Benja. Berryman and Nathaniel Pope witnesses to Samuel Reeds' Will, (land division) sons William Reed and John Reeds. Westmoreland Co.
===
STAFFORD COUNTY VA DEED & WILL BOOK 1699 - 1709; THE ANTIENT PRESS
pp. 55-56 Will of JOHN HARVEY. I John Harvey of Stafford County being sick & weak of body .. leave my loving wife JANE HARVEY my whole and sole Executrix .. to my loving wife Jane Harvey all my land .. to my loving wife Jane Harvey all my personal. estate that is to say all money Plate goods & chattels that I am possessed of in Virginia & England with all my negroes .. it is my will that BENJAMIN BERRYMAN shall not be concerned neither him or his to any part or parcel of my estate whatsoever .. if it should happen I should have any Relations come from England then I leave it wholly to the discretion of my loving wife to do therein as she shall think fit .. this 5th day December 1700.
Witnessed by Richd. Fossaker, Jno. Harvey Edward Hart & Charles Ellis and was proved in open court .. and recorded this 12th day March 1700.

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WESTMORELAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA ORDER BOOK, 1703-1705 {John Frederick Dorman}: pg 209A
John Elliott Gent. made oath that neither himself nor any other person took up the land due to him for the transportation of Elles .Roland, Martyn Collohorn, Hugh Rory, Jno. Cannon, Elles Barnes, John Rogers, Thomas Burk...A certificate is granted him for 350 acres Assigned to Benja..Berriman Gent.
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STAFFORD COUNTY VA DEED BOOK J; 1722-1728; THE ANTIENT PRESS
pp. 104-105 This Indenture made 22nd May 1724 between BEHETHLAND BERRYMAN of Parish of St. Pauls County Stafford Widow Daughter and heiress of THOMAS GILSON Gent. late of said county deced of one part and BENJAMIN BERRYMAN of Parish of Washington County Westmoreland Gent. of other part .. Witnesseth for divers good reasons but more especially for that at the time of the death of the said Thomas Gilson he stood justly indebted unto Several persons in the sum of Thirty Thousand Weight of Tobacco a Judgment for the greater part thereof being granted to Benjamin Berryman who intermarried with ELIZABETH the Widdow of the said Thomas Gilson and there being but a small personal Estate if Executions had been Levied it would inevitably have taken away most part of the Negroes the said Thomas died seized of and also for sum of One hundred Pounds of lawfull mony of Virginia to him paid by Benjamin Berryman the receipt whereof she doth acknowledge .. hath sold unto BENJAMIN BERRYMAN fourteen Negro slaves and their increase by name ( ) being those Negroes that was formerly set apart for his wife's thirds but now in the possession of the said BEHETHLAND BERRYMAN .. to hold .. one Negro child more. named William being also conveyed by virtue of this deed ..
Presence Tho. Stonehouse, Behethland Berryman Daniel Bourne, Thomas Pestridge his mk.
Memo - Negroes delivered unto Benjamin Berryman .. I the within Behethland Berryman do acknowledge to have received from Benjamin Berryman 1001 Behethland Berryman
At a Court held 4th June 1724 Behethland Berryman Widdow acknowledged this Deed of Sale from her .. Receipt of consideration mony to be her proper act .. to be to the uses in the same Deed contained which at the Instance of the said Behethland Berryman was ordered to be recorded and is recorded.
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STAFFORD COUNTY VA DEED BOOK J; 1722-1728; THE ANTIENT PRESS
p. 118 Whereas there is a certain tract of land 550 acres at the head of Dodsons Creek in Stafford County and another parcel of land at the Mouth of the said Creek and bounded on the Mouth of Machotick Creek containing 300 acres or thereabouts which said land was the Estate of THOMAS GILSON in fee simple and Gilson died seized of the same by means thereof the third part of the said two parcels belong to me ELIZABETH BERRYMAN being the late Widdow in Right of Dower and that the said land now is in the possession of BEHETHED BERRYMAN who is the Daughter and heir at Law to Thomas Gilson and to the end that Behethland may hold the same lands from the encumbrance of Dower Know ye that we BENJAMIN BERRYMAN and ELIZABETH his wife who was the late widdow of said Thomas Gilson for divers good and sure of ffive shillings doth grant unto Behethland Berryman .. 13 May 1724.
Presence E. Turberville, Benja. Berryman
Gee. Brent Elizabeth Berryman
At a Court held for Stafford County 13th May 1724 Benjamin Berryman Gent, and Elizabeth .. acknowledged this deed of Relinquishment .. said Elizabeth being privately examined .. Relinquished her right of Dower .. ordered to be recorded,
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1721-1735 King George County Deed Book 1, Part II, (Antient Press); pp. 506-508
Indenture 9 & Twentieth/Thirtieth May 1728 between BENJAMIN BERRIMAN of Parish of Washington Westmoreland County Gent. & BENJAMIN BERRYMAN JUNR. Parish of Hanover King George County .. by deeds of Lease and Release .. for Twenty shillings Sterling sold 200 acres being part of Pattent of 400 acres formerly Escheated by BENJAMAN BERRYMAN from JACOB DANIEL, JOHN ffARMER and SAMUEL DUDLEY by three several pattents for the sd 400 acres .. all dated 15th December 1710 from the Proprietors office (That is to say) The half part of the said 400 acres adjoining upon Rappahannock River & so by a back line that is to be made across the sd land parralel with sd River binding upon land now in possession of THOMAS GRIGSBY on one side adjoining 350 acres now in occupation of sd BENJAMINE BERRYMAN JUNR.
Presence Thomas Sharpe, Benjamine Berryman
Evan Price
7th June 1728 .. Deeds of Lease & Release recorded.

===
Contributed by: James Hughes

URL: http://pages.prodigy dot net/berryman2/
URL title: Marvin E. Berryman
Note:
1729, May 29 - Benj. Berryman, Gent. (Court Justice) on motion of his Daughter Anne Berryman Burch (who) made oath before the Court that her decd. husband John Burch departed ...(intestate) ...Anne gives security and is granted administration. Ordered that John Marshall, John Piper, Original Brown and Abraham Blagg, or any three of them are to value and appraise (Burch's) estate and report to ...the next Court. Westmoreland Court

1689, November 8 - Benjamin Berryman witness to John Harvey’s purchase of land in Stafford Co. from Francis Dade. Recorded November 9, Stafford Court. (Benjamin 18 yrs. old, if born Dec 7, 1670)

1690/1, January 17 - Benj. Berryman "giveth for his mark, a swallow forke in ye right eare and a nick under ye swallow forke with an underkeele of ye left ear". Recorded in the Stafford County Court on this date. (Also recorded in Westmoreland Co.?)

1691, October 5 - Benjamin Berryman present with Original Brown at Anne Baynham Butler Webster’s acknowledgement of her right of Dower to 500 acres in Stafford Co. sold to Mr. Wm. Briscoe of Bristol, England, Mariner. (This was land given Anne by her grandmother Dorothy Baldridge on June 8, 1662.) Also present were Alexander Webster (Anne’s second husband) and Caleb Butler (Believed to be Anne’s brother-in-law, "and" half-brother or step-brother through her mother Anne Baldridge Baynham's second husband Thomas Butler). Anne Webster appoints "beloved friend, Capt. John Washington, her Lawful Attorney”. Recorded Oct 7, 1691. Stafford Co.

1700/1, February 22 - Benjamin Berryman leases for 99 years, 260 acres of land from James Neale of MD Upper Machotick creekside part of a (re)patent of 400 acres granted Neale in 1695. Westmoreland Co.

1702, November 27 - Benjamin Berryman, Gent. is appointed Surveyor of the Highways for uppermost precincts of Washington Parish viz. From the Ashen Swamp to Jordan’s Bridge and from Sharp’s Bridge downwards, all the usual roads within that precinct. It is ordered that he cause all the roads to be cleared from all logs or trees fallen and lying in or cross the same and also to cause all bridges within the same to be well and sufficiently repaired and amended and new bridges made where necessity shall require. And it is further ordered that the Vestry of the parish do appoint the workmen to help in clearing the roads and amending the bridges. George Weedon, Gent. is appointed surveyor for that precinct of Washington Parish where Mr. Benja. Berryman’s precinct doth end and all the roads as low as Washington Mill. (Rosier’s Creek)

1717/18, March 5 - Capt. Benj. Berryman of Westmoreland Co. granted 663 acres near a place called the Marsh (Marsh Run). Surveyed by Capt. Edwd. Barrow. (This land was willed to Benjamin’s son, Maximillian Berryman and is near Warrenton & Bealton, Fauquier Co.) Northern Neck Land Grants

1728, June 7 - Benj. Berryman of the parish of Washington, Westmoreland Co. a transfer of a Grant and Release of the Reversion & Inheritance to Benj. Berryman, junr. of the parish of Hanover, King George Co. 200 acres, part of 400 acres adjacent the Rappa. River and Thomas Grigsby. Escheated by Benj. Berryman from Jacob Daniel, John Farmer & Samuel Dudley by 3 patents totaling 400 acres all dated December 15, 1710 from the Proprietors Office. Adjoining upon 350 acres of land now in the Tenure and Occupation of the said Benja. Berryman, junr. Wit. Thomas Sharpe & Evan Price King George Co. Court
===
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA ORDER BOOK 1692-1694; John Frederick Dorman; pg 169 [27 July 1692]
In the difference between Mr. Benjamin Berriman and Mr. John Harvy, it is ordered that Mr. John Harvy doe imediately deliver to Mr. Berriman the three full fourth parts of his deceased father's personall estate and also of the rents, issues and profitts that have accrued by the mill since Berriman came of age, and two thirds of the lands whereon his father lived according to his father's will. And if Harvy refuse upon demand to deliver the estate in the presence of Mr. Wm. Kirton, Mr. Nehemiah Stark and Mr. John Washington, who are by the Court requested to be present, to Berriman on 8 August next, then it is ordered that the Sheriff doe take Mr. John Harvy into his custody until he fully comply.